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Georgetown designer pivots from dresses to fancy face masks

John Aaron | jaaron@wtop.com

April 22, 2020, 1:00 PM

Georgetown fashion designer Sonia Garbarino has pivoted from dress alterations to face mask creations. (WTOP/John Aaron)
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From designer dresses to fancy face masks (WTOP's John Aaron)

Georgetown fashion designer Sonia Garbarino normally makes dresses for proms and weddings, but with that business drying up because of the pandemic, she’s turned her attention to designer face coverings.

Her nonmedical-grade masks involve materials such as satin, lace and taffeta, and designs that include studs and flowers. There are designs for women, men and children.

The masks can cost up to $50. She is also making simple masks, which are $15.

Garbarino said the response has been positive. She started by selling to clients and neighbors, and estimated that she’s made 80 masks so far. She had another 21 to crank out Wednesday.

Some of Sonia Garbarino’s designer face masks. (WTOP/John Aaron)

Garbarino can be contacted through her Facebook page.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify the prices of the masks. 

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John Aaron

John Aaron is a news anchor and reporter for WTOP. After starting his professional broadcast career as an anchor and reporter for WGET and WGTY in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, he went on to spend several years in the world of sports media, working for Comcast SportsNet, MLB Network Radio, and WTOP.

jaaron@wtop.com

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Boy riding bicycle.
Coronavirus testing site at FedEx Field
<p>The pandemic has forced many people out of work and unable to reach healthy food so Martha&#8217;s Table has extended until April 24 its COVID-19 emergency response of financial and food support for people in need, including distribution of 6,570 bags of groceries at its public food sites in Southeast D.C.</p>
FALLS CHURCH, VA - MARCH 25: Vehicles drive alongside an empty Silver Line train car as ridership across the Metro system is down nearly 90% because of the coronavirus pandemic March 25, 2020 in Falls Church, Virginia.
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